McPherson University has announced that a total of 85 students will be given degrees in various courses at its convocation ceremony slated for Saturday, November 20, 2021.
Platforms Africa reports that Vice Chancellor of University , Professor Adeniyi Agunbiade, whi declared this at a press conference, maintained that the institution has also secured the National University Commission (NUC’s) Approval,l and Accreditation for 13 Courses.
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“On our academic performance, we graduated 92 students last year. This year 85 students will be graduating,’ he said.
Stating that the McPherson University has recorded academic progress and accomplishments, Agunbiade said; “I am happy to inform this great audience that the result of the resource assessment visits carried out between 5th and 11th September, 2021 for seven new academic programmes (four undergraduate and three postgraduate degree programmes) were successful.
“We got approval to commence the seven programmes: B. Sc. Cyber Security; B.Sc. Software Engineering; B.Sc. Information Technology; B.MLS. Medical Laboratory Science; M.Sc. Accounting; MBA. Masters of Business Administration; PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D. Computer Science. These are full accreditation on a Re-accreditation Exercise by National Universities Commission (NUC),” he said.
He continued; “Once again, I am glad to report that, by the special grace of the Almighty God, we got full accreditation again for six of our programmes that were visited by National Universities Commission (NUC) in March/April, 2021. The programmes include: B. Sc. Accounting; B. Sc. Banking and Finance; B. Sc. Business Administration; B. Sc. Marketing; B. Sc. Economicsand ; B. A. History and International Studies.
“Clinical Posting of Our Nursing Students and Advisory Visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.”
Here is the full address by Professor Agunbiade.
ADDRESS BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, McPHERSON UNIVERSITY, PROF. ADENIYI AGUNBIADE, AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE (HYBRID) TO INAUGURATE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE SIXTH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF McPHERSON UNIVERSITY, SERIKI SOTAYO ON TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2021 AT THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S, OFFICE
A. Protocol
Glory to the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is also my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Management of McPherson University to this Press Conference to draw attention to our Sixth Convocation and the programme of events outlined to celebrate nine years of existence of McPherson University.
B. The Take-off of the University
On an occasion like this, it is pertinent to take us through some historical background of the take-off of our University.
1. The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria having established Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in many towns and cities of Nigeria decided to expand its educational goals and to complement government’s efforts in producing highly skilled human resources.
2. It embarked on the establishment of McPherson University by setting up a 22-man University Establishment Committee (UEC) in 2007 headed by the late Emeritus Prof. Israel Folorunso Adu.
C. Visions and Missions of McPherson University
Vision: …“to build a People of Excellence and Integrity for Service”
Mission: …“to provide qualitative, functional and sound education with Godly virtues that will prepare men and women for leadership and positive impact on the Society”
D. McPherson University Developments
The following developmental mechanisms were employed to achieve value-added dividends on the administration of the University:
(I) ACADEMIC PROGRESS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
a. Resource Assessment Visit to New Academic Programmes
I am happy to inform this great audience that the result of the resource assessment visits carried out between 5th and 11th September, 2021 for seven new academic programmes (four undergraduate and three postgraduate degree programmes) were successful. We got approval to commence the seven programmes:
1. B. Sc. Cyber Security
2. B.Sc. Software Engineering
3. B.Sc. Information Technology
4. B.MLS. Medical Laboratory Science
5. M.Sc. Accounting
6. MBA. Masters of Business Administration
7. PGD, M.Sc. & Ph.D. Computer Science
b. Full Accreditation on a Re-accreditation Exercise by National
Universities Commission (NUC)
Once again, I am glad to report that, by the special grace of the Almighty God, we got full accreditation again for six of our programmes that were visited by National Universities Commission (NUC) in March/April, 2021. The programmes include:
i. B. Sc. Accounting
ii. B. Sc. Banking and Finance
iii. B. Sc. Business Administration
iv. B. Sc. Marketing
v. B. Sc. Economics
vi. B. A. History and International Studies
c. Clinical Posting of Our Nursing Students and Advisory Visit
by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
A 6-week concentrated clinical training for our 200 level Nursing Students was concluded at the General Hospital, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos. A 3-member Team from Abuja was received at the University between 30th August and 2nd September, 2021 for the mandatory advisory visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. They also visited our students on clinical training at the General Hospital in Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos.
We have received positive result from the Nursing Advisory visit.
d. Approval to run Part-Time Degree Programmes for McU by NUC
I am pleased to inform you that we have also got approval to commence part-time academic programmes in the following courses:
– B. Sc. Accounting
– B. Sc. Banking and Finance
– B. Sc. Business Administration
– B. Sc. Marketing
– B. A. History and International Studies
– B. A. English
– B. A. Religious Studies
– B. Sc. Economics
– B. Sc. International Relations.
The first set of students were admitted during the 2020/2021 session and admission is on-going for the 2021/2022 session.
Further details on these new programmes can be accessed on our website: www.mcu.edu.ng
II. Parents Consultative Forum (PCF) – Is a means of involving and getting parents/Guardians involved in the affairs of their children/wards. It is a partnership for the exchange of ideas. Among the benevolence the University enjoyed from the PCF is assistance with the internal facilities to get the University connected to Mobile Power Sub-station which McPherson University facilitated its deployment from the Federal Government.
In the 2019/2020 academic session, the PCF leadership donated 32 units of Desktop Computers and Accessories (for the ICT Unit), 14 Spit Units Air-Conditioners and 104 Mattresses and Pillows as well as 104 Chairs for use in the new Male Hostel, Dr. Glenn Burris Jr. Hall of Residence.
Quite recently, the PCF, headed by Mr. Kola Adeniyi donated a sum of ₦10,000,000 from the PCF Account for the tiling of the female hall of residence. We shall commission the project this weekend to the glory of God. We are so grateful to Mr. Kola Adeniyi-led PCF for these laudable project.
Let me add that a new Faculty building for the Basic Medical Sciences is nearing completion.
III. Brain Trust – McPherson University has instituted a culture of celebrating excellence and creating avenue for healthy academic rivalry among our students. Exceptional abilities in academic performance are recognised. The initiative focuses on students with GPA of 4.5 and above at the end of each session. The features include their Invitation by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Agunbiade, to a sumptuous dinner and a letter of commendation to each of them. Wine is also served by the VC personally to each of the students. Other Principal Officers, Deans, and Heads of Departments are also invited for the dinner.
IV. The McPherson University’s Ambience – At McPherson University, the maintenance of a beautiful landscape, and neat and green campus environment with serene atmosphere for learning contributes largely to pleasurable assimilation.
V. University Sports – Apart from commitments to academic excellence, McPherson University is fast gaining recognition for its sporting facilities. We can boast of a modern track, Olympic size Football and Volley pitches as well as Lawn–Tennis court and several other in-door games. We believe sporting events are critical to the physical and intellectual developments of the human person. Our students usually participate in the Nigeria Private Universities Games (NPUGA). We have been involved in friendly football matches and other field events with neighbouring universities such as Covenant University and Bells University of Technology, Ota; Mountain Top University, Mowe–Ibafo; Crescent University, Abeokuta, to mention a few.
E. Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)
McU has continue to impact her immediate community with respect to CSR in the following areas:
a) Donation of dozens of chairs, fans, blocks for toilet construction among others for Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and The Police Post in Alapako Unit Ajebo Units, respectively.
b) McPherson University Health Centre Upgrade and Community Outreach
– The University has been impacting her host communities (numbering 14 villages initially) positively through enhanced medical services provided by the Health Centre.
– The number of people from outside the University that registered permanently and receiving treatment at the Health Centre is over 9000 people made up of over 3000 families to date. Facility upgrade includes:
Increase in the bed capacity from 4 to 10.
a modern surgical operating theatre
an Ultrasound Scanning Machine
a Genotype Tank
an X ray machine and other facilities for X – ray services
All the above have earned us NHIS accreditation
c) I C T Facilities
– The University has a modern ICT Centre and e-library with generous work station for students use.
– There is full internet connectivity in almost all buildings on Campus including staff offices, classrooms and Admin block.
– The facilities have been employed for training of staff and students
– We have a modern English Language Laboratory and a modern Mass Communication Studio as well as well-equipped science laboratories for Computer Science, Microbiology and Biochemistry programmes.
d) Entrepreneurial Agricultural Projects for Revenue Generation (IGR)
– McPherson University has embarked on Agricultural projects by initiating cultivation of hectares of land to pine apple, plantain and cassava/maize intercrop;
– From our cassava farm, McU Garri has become a regular item featuring in our products for sales to the public.
– Projects also include livestock farming e.g. cattle rearing and poultry production, we now produce the eggs our students and staff eat on Campus.
– Building for our bakery has been completed and we have been producing the bread our students and staff eat on Campus.
– All these IGR ventures also serve as a platform for entrepreneurial skill acquisition by our students.
– They, in addition, provide service to the community through processing and sales of McU agricultural and bakery products.
F. Other Attractions for McPherson University are as follows:
• Successful completion of the first nine sessions (2012/2013 to 2020/2021) academic sessions.
• Hitch free and flawless adherence to Academic Calendar approved by Senate.
• Rapid processing of results and prompt transmission to parents and guardians within a few days after examinations.
• Release of Certificates to students on graduation day.
• Academic excellence involving many of our younger staff completing their doctoral studies and successfully defending their Ph.D. Theses. Several others are at various stages of their programmes. In addition, members of staff are sponsored to attend local and international training programmes and conferences in order to enhance their performance and productivity.
• Well-equipped Nursing Science Laboratories, Mass Communication Studios (newsroom, editing suite, PR & Advertising lab, Digital Photo lab) and English Language Laboratory as earlier mentioned.
• Sustained Daily Morning Devotion by staff and students and Chapel Services since inception to date.
G. Convocation Schedule
i. Monday, 15th November, 2021
===FREE===
ii. Tuesday, 16th November, 2021
Convocation Press Conference
Venue: Vice-Chancellor’s Office, University Campus
Time: 11:00-12:30 pm
iii. Wednesday, 17th November, 2021
a. Programme: Arrivals and Collection of Academic Gowns
by graduands
Venue: Academic Affairs Office, University Campus
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
b. Programme: Final Rehearsals
Friday, 19th November, 2020
Venue: Main Admin Block Arena
Time: 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
H. CONVOCATION CEREMONIES GRAND FINALE
Saturday, 20th November, 2021
– Programme: Convocation Lecture – “Transforming the Nigerian University System for Graduate Employability and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development”. Guest Lecturer: Professor Olufemi Bamiro, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan
i. Programme: Awards of First Degrees and Presentation of Prizes
Venue: Multi-Purpose Hall, University Campus, Seriki Sotayo.
Time: 10:00 am.
ii. Academic Performance
Graduated 92 students last year. This year 85 students will be graduating.
I. APPRECIATIONS & CONCLUSION.
Thank you for your attention.
